Meghalaya would be seeking additional funds from the centre to execute various developmental projects, including the implementation of the fourth pay commission in the state.
A five-member ministerial team from Meghalaya headed by Chief Minister DD Lapang would head for New Delhi on July 14. The ministerial team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission members to request them for allotment of funds. “The state would be seeking Rs 562 crore to help implement the recommendations of the fourth pay commission and other financial assistance for the upgradation of Umroi airport and rail connectivity, besides other pending projects,” Lapang said.
He added that the state government is trying to seek the additional funds also to clear outstanding liabilities running to several crore of rupees. He said additional resources were necessary if the state have to implement the recommendation of the fourth pay commission.
“We would try to impress upon the Prime Minister and the Finance minister to release the grant for implementing the recommendation of the fourth pay commission,” Lapang said.
Pending implementation of the pay commission, the Cabinet last year decided to provide interim relief of 10 per cent on basic pay, dearness allowance subject to a minimum of Rs 400 per month with effect from December last year to state government employees.
The interim relief requires a spending of Rs 7.7 crore per month from the state exchequer. The recommendations of the commission were approved by the government in December last year.
The Chief Minister would also discuss with Chidambaram about modernisation of the police force in the state. He would also reiterate the State government’s demand for increase in the allocation under the police modernisation scheme. Lapang said the ministerial team would also seek additional funds for health and other departments to implement pending projects and schemes.
The state would also seek fund especially for the health department that is required to boost this vital sector, he said.
“The state has undertaken various initiatives like upgrading the Shillong and Tura Civil hospitals as state hospitals and improving CHCs and PHCs,” Lapang said adding therefore the state needs additional resources.
The state government is trying to seek the additional funds also to clear outstanding liabilities running to several crore of rupees.